Chamber Meeting Highlights AI’s Growing Role in Business; New Internship Opportunities Announced

It's our main data gathering tool to find out what the needs are for the folks in Knox County

The regularly scheduled Knox County Chamber of Commerce meeting began on Tuesday, November 25 with discussions about community needs, the rise of artificial intelligence in business and education, and a new internship partnership designed to place Union Commonwealth University students in paid positions across Eastern Kentucky.

The meeting began with a warm welcome from Chamber President Charles Lovell, followed by an opening prayer led by Leonard Lester, Pastor at First Advent Christian Church. Attendees were then asked to introduce themselves and the company they represent.

First to speak was Shawn Bingham, who informed attendees of a community needs survey that needed to be completed. “It's our main data gathering tool to find out what the needs are for the folks in Knox County,” stated Bingham. It is essentially a survey provided to locals and community groups to develop and expand their programming. The survey can be found at https://kceoc.org/community-needs-assessment-survey.

Next up, a presentation on artificial intelligence (AI) in business was given by Jennifer Mills from the University of the Cumberlands. Mills focused on the importance of using AI as a tool, and not so much as a solution. The overall message being, AI is a powerful tool, but only when paired with critical human oversight. 

Mills spoke about AI literacy for students and professionals, emphasizing the importance of developing prompting skills, utilizing AI for business, securing grants, enhancing communication, maintaining the human element in an AI-driven world, and improving workflow efficiency. 

“AI is just a tool - we are the brain,” stated Mills.

Mills also placed importance on questioning AI and the answer it gives you. It is normal and important to question where ChatGPT retrieves the information, she shared. Blind trust in AI can lead to misinformation, and humans must verify information through careful research and an open mind.  

“It had facts and percentages, like ‘30% of businesses do this,’ and I thought, ‘Where is it getting this information?’” stated Mills. Mills ended her engagement by encouraging students and business professionals to experiment with ChatGPT and other AI engines, stating that each offers different strengths and perspectives. 

Lastly, Rosanna Hutchenson from Rural Up spoke on their partnership with Union Commonwealth University to aid student interns.

Hutchinson provided guests with an overview of the UCU Fellows Program, a new internship initiative in partnership with Rural Up and Union Commonwealth University. This program will place 20-25 academically and athletically accomplished students into paid internships across Eastern Kentucky for 12 weeks during the upcoming spring semester.

Internship areas of interest include exercise science, business, marketing, education, political science, biology, pre-med, chemistry, and other related fields.

Employers will provide meaningful daily tasks and projects, as well as supervision, on-the-job mentorship, and training. An employer can host more than one intern at a time. 

Hutchinson closed by sharing that internships are also paid positions, starting at $15 an hour, which is funded by Rural Up.

“Sometimes people think internships are free labor… you’re not paying for the wages, but you are investing your energy, your expertise, and your time,” stated Hutchinson.

In closing, announcements from the audience included Prayer on the Square, scheduled for Monday, December 1, at 7:00 p.m.; Barbourville Cares at Barbourville City School, taking place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26; a showing of The Polar Express will take place Friday, November 28 at the Knox Drive-In; this upcoming Saturday, November 29, is Small Business Saturday downtown; there will be pictures with Santa Claus at Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; the Union Commonwealth University Christmas Festival Choir Concert on December 5, which also begins downtown Christmas week, beginning with the Barbourville Women’s Study Club on Thursday, leading into ‘Gingerbread on the Square,’ gingerbread house inflatables, the sounds of Christmas holiday concerts, choir groups from local churches, and more concerts to take place after the annual ‘I Believe in Santa Claus Christmas Parade.’